Purpose Driven Life Lesson 17

Purpose Driven Life

Lesson 17

A Place to Belong

Scripture Focus

Ephesians 2:19 The Living Bible

19 Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.

1 Timothy 3:15 NLT

15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Introduction:

· You are called to belong, not just believe.

· One thing the pandemic has done is condition to staying home

· I can order from Dollar General through “Door Dash”

· But is not God’s design

· Fellowship will always draw you closer to God

Genesis 2:18 NLT

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

“The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together and will be caught up together.”

· Following Christ includes belonging, not just believing.

· To be a member of most churches…

· The church is a living breathing organism

Romans 12:4–5 NLT

4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

· Check out this passage in the Message

Romans 12:4–5 The Message

4 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. 5 The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body,

· You cannot grow in your relationship with God from your couch

· It’s the first sign in your decline as a Christian

· When you become careless about fellowship everything else will fade.

· WHY YOU NEED A CHURCH FAMILY

A church family identifies you as a genuine believer.

Proof of being a disciple

John 13:35 NLT

35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

ii. A strong loving church family is a witness to the world

A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation.

Church is a classroom

i. It’s where we learn how not to be selfish

ii. How to be giving

iii. How to share

1 Corinthians 12:26 NCV

26 If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor.

A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle.

Sit and soak

i. I preach this all the time

ii. The bible teaches that Jesus came to serve

Ephesians 4:16 NLT

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

The Body of Christ needs you.

You have a unique role

i. We all have one

ii. It’s the place you serve in your ministry

1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT

7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

You will share in Christ’s mission in the world.

This is the plan God has chosen

i. There is not another way.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

A church family will help keep you from backsliding.

We are all tempted

i. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin.

ii. The church family is the place that can reinforce or reorient your moral compass

Hebrews 3:13 NLT

13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

Satan loves detached believers, unplugged from the life of the Body, isolated from God’s family, and unaccountable to spiritual leaders, because he knows they are defenseless and powerless against his tactics.